Brecon RFC

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SWALEC WRU Challenge Cup 2nd Round 25th October 2008

Brecon 8 - Skewen 13

This Cup match was certainly a close encounter between two well matched but contrasting sides. The result was in doubt right up to the final whistle and Brecon could have stolen it. However, on balance it would have been hard to say that Brecon were unlucky. Skewen played much of the game on the back foot territorially but they had a cutting edge and took their chances. In contrast Brecon forwards created a platform but far too many mistakes and wrong options frittered away opportunities right up to the final whistle.

The closing moments summed up the whole of Brecon’s disappointing afternoon. Five points down and chasing a winning try, Captain Andrew Davies, who had been in rampaging form all afternoon, called for the penalty kick to be directed to the corner. With Wyn Davies supreme in the line out and with pack generally able to drive through their opponents there was every possibility of a score. Inexplicably the kick missed the touch line and went dead. Skewen outside half Anthony Busseli, who to that that point had been a thorn in Brecon’s flesh, screwed his drop out directly into touch. With time running out Brecon had another chance. From the scrum on the 22 Brecon managed at last to give the ball some width. Wing Matthew Watkins was hauled down 5 metres out but earned a penalty. Brecon called for another scrum. Surely this time they would capitalise on their power and position. Unfortunately lack of composure and accuracy blew the chance as they had done on a number of occasions earlier in the afternoon. Not for the first time the referee, who was consistent and had a good game, spotted a crooked feed. To the delight of the Skewen contingent the penalty kick was hammered away into touch and with it went Brecon’s hopes of cup glory for another season.

Brecon started the game with great promise. Andrew Davies, Owen Davies and Richard Galea powered their way through the early stages of the match. With Robbie Herdman offering great support Skewen were immediately on the back foot. Then Brecon faced their first set back. Richard Galea was taken off with a broken arm. Dan Turner did a great job as his replacement but Brecon’s options had been reduced at a very early stage.

Still Brecon continued to pour forward. Scrum half Geraint Price, enjoying the forward platform in front of him, cut through on a number of great sniping runs only for the threat to be snuffed out by some good scrambling defence.

When Skewen did at last escape from their own half they suddenly looked dangerous. From a line out on the Brecon 22, outside half Busseli looked to break but was confronted by three Brecon defenders and yet somehow he maintained his composure and held the defenders off long enough to pop up a short pass to Phil Hughes. The full back showed great attacking flair and cut a lovely angle clean through the Brecon defence and on to the try line. Busseli easily added the conversion.

Brecon pounded back into the game. A penalty kick to the corner set up a period of intense pressure. Twice Brecon crossed the line only to be held up. Eventually they knocked on and the opportunity seemed lost. However, Brecon’s scrum drive caused problems for the visitors and as the ball squirted out alert Geraint Price seized on the ball and scored.

Just two points down and with wind advantage in the second half, Brecon were justifiably confident that they could take the game. Yet once again it was Skewen who got the first points. Busseli kicked a good penalty into the wind and from the ten metre line. With plenty of time to play Brecon needlessly seemed to panic. Play became very predictable. Alun Davies who had punched holes with his straight running at inside centre suddenly found a wall of players waiting for him and yet Brecon seemed unable to vary their tactic and use him as a decoy. As time went on more and more mistakes were made.

Busseli and Gari Davies exchanged penalties as the game became very untidy. Finally the closing act was reached and Brecon’s cup challenge slipped away.

Ryan Gould Brecon Under 13's Brecon's mascott for the day